The founder of the Nuts Poker League, Steve Bellis, has teamed up with a travel business in the northern Welsh town of Holywell to offer exclusive poker holidays.

The British poker entrepreneur stated that the first party of poker players for 2008 is scheduled to travel to the Sands Beach Resort in Costa Teguise on the Canary island of Lanzarote in June.

"We went out there last year with 50 players and it was a great success," said Bellis.

"A lot of places have karaoke and bingo but there are lots of people who want to play poker. Out of that, we had a meeting with TR4 Travel in Holywell and discussed the possibility of taking 120 people."

"We did an Internet search for poker holidays and most of them are in Las Vegas and are very serious. We wanted to offer something that was a bit closer to home, more relaxed and less expensive."

Bellis stated that family members and friends of the players would be welcome to attend as there would be an abundance of other activities at the resort.

The official itinerary and prize pool for the event have not been announced but Bellis stated that there would be Texas Hold''em tournaments every day of the holiday with an approximate minimum cash pool for main events of $200. The tournaments will take place in the resortís nightclub and conference room with practice tables and chips available every day.